SVS seminarians return from Albanian mission field

The American mission team to Albania, made up of both St. Vladimir’s and Holy Cross seminarians, soaked up the rich culture and profound faith of the country as they traveled to its ancient monasteries and newly resurrected churches.

2010 June 15

Four SVS seminarians immersed themselves in the culture and faith of the Albanian people during their summer break by participating in a 12-day mission trip during May and June. The journey took them through major cities—Tirana, Korça, and Durrës—and to hubs of Orthodox Christian activity, including parishes, monasteries, orphanages, and conference centers.

The seminarians—Jason Ketz, Logan Johnson, Fr. Raphael Barberg, and Bruce Lawrence— traveled under the auspices of the Missions Institute of Orthodox Christianity, a center directed by Fr. Luke. A. Veronis and situated on the campus of Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Brookline, MA. Seminarians from Holy Cross also comprised part of the missionary group to Albania.

Archpriest Chad Hatfield, chancellor and CEO at St. Vladimir’s, will teach a course on missiology during the Fall 2010 semester on our seminary campus, concentrating particularly on the “Orthodox-centric” method of missiology. Fr. Chad represents St. Vladimir’s on Board of Trustees of the Missions Institute of Orthodoxy Christianity.

Back home after spending 12 days as missionaries in Albania, seminarians (left to right) Jason Ketz, Logan Johnson, Fr. Raphael Barberg, and Bruce Lawrence are greeted by Archpriest Chad Hatfield (center), Chancellor of SVS.